John 5

After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.

Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?

And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.

Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.

Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.

But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.

He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

I receive not honour from men.

But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

What does John 5:34 mean?

Explanation

John 5:34, found in the New Testament of the Christian Bible, is a statement attributed to Jesus during a discourse with the Jewish leaders who were questioning His authority and identity.

In this verse, Jesus asserts that while He does not need human testimony to validate His mission, His purpose in mentioning the witness of others is for the ultimate benefit and salvation of his listeners.

The "testimony from man" likely refers to the earlier testimony of John the Baptist about Jesus.

Jesus is distinguishing between human testimony, which while valuable, is not the foundation of His claims; rather, His works and relationship with the Father testify to His identity as the Son of God.

The deeper meaning indicates a concern for the spiritual well-being of the listeners, as Jesus wants them to come to faith and be saved.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

This verse is situated within the Gospel of John, which is traditionally dated to the late 1st century AD.

The authorship is traditionally ascribed to John the Apostle, although modern scholars debate this.

At this point in the Gospel, Jesus has performed a miraculous healing on the Sabbath, which has led to conflict with Jewish religious authorities.

The context is one of escalating tension as Jesus’ actions and claims bring Him into direct conflict with the prevailing religious interpretations and customs of the time.

John's Gospel often emphasizes the theme of belief and unbelief, showcasing Jesus' identity and the response it demands from His contemporaries.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, there are several nuances in this verse.

Firstly, it underscores the sufficiency of Jesus' divinity and His testimony from the Father, rather than relying on human validation.

Secondly, the motive for Jesus referring to human testimony is expressed as concern for the salvation of His listeners, highlighting the pastoral heart of Jesus’ ministry.

Different denominations may focus on varying aspects of this verse: for instance, Catholicism may see this as evidence of Jesus’ divine authority, while Protestantism might emphasize the importance of personal salvation through faith in Jesus’ testimony.

Practical Applications

In contemporary times, this verse could encourage believers to base their faith not merely on what others say but to seek an understanding of who Jesus is from the Scriptures and personal experience.

It also emphasizes the importance of sharing faith with a mindset geared toward the welfare of others, urging followers of Jesus to act and speak in ways that lead others toward salvation rather than simply winning religious arguments.

Cross-References

John 1:19-23 – John the Baptist's testimony about Jesus.
John 5:36 – Jesus states that His works testify on His behalf.
John 8:18 – Jesus speaks of the Father who sent Him as His witness.
John 10:25 – Jesus declares His works done in His Father's name bear witness of Him.
John 20:31 – The purpose of John's Gospel is for readers to believe and have life in His name.

Language Study

In the original Greek text, "testimony" translates to “μαρτυρία” (marturia), meaning witness or evidence.

The term suggests legal or formal evidence that validates a claim.

“Saved” is translated from “σωθῆτε” (sōthēte), which has connotations of being rescued, delivered, or preserved, often in a spiritual or eternal sense. This denotes the comprehensive redemption Jesus offers.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the cultural and religious landscape of the 1st century, the witness or testimony of a leader was important for validation. Comparatively, in Greek mythology, the gods often sought recognition and honor from humans.

However, in John 5:34, Jesus reverses this expectation by not seeking human validation for His divine role.

The comparison is stark in that Jesus' authority comes from His divine identity rather than human acknowledgment, which contrasts with the human-centric endorsement of leaders and deities in other ancient traditions.

Scientific Perspectives

John 5:34 is a verse that speaks to spiritual and theological matters rather than commenting on empirical or scientific realities.

The concept of being "saved" is a religious concept and does not necessarily intersect with scientific understandings in a direct way.

However, the pursuit of truth and validation of claims, which is a key element in this verse, is also fundamental to the scientific method; both fields, while distinct, value the search for truth, whether it be spiritual truth or empirical evidence.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have various interpretations of John 5:34.

Some, such as Matthew Henry, focus on Jesus’ independence from human testimony and His divine nature.

Others emphasize the compassionate reason behind Jesus’ reference to human testimony, as a means to lead His listeners to salvation.

William Barclay notes the Jewish legal requirement for evidence by two or three witnesses and sees this as Jesus satisfying those requirements with the testimony of John the Baptist and His own works.

Most commentaries agree that the verse highlights Jesus’ authority and desire for human salvation.

John 5

John 5

What does John 5:34 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 5:34 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?